The current GENASSIST offering comprises both off-the-shelf reagents for using CRISPR editing technology and a unique kit combination of these reagents to allow customers to generate their own CRISPR-ready cell lines that constitutively express Cas9-nickase. Using such cell lines provides a quick start for customers, enabling them to make further modifications to the cell line more efficiently than if they were starting fresh each time. Horizon is also launching a new service for the design, manufacture and most importantly validation of CRISPR RNA guides, in order to maximize the likelihood that gene editing will occur as expected.

Dr Darrin M Disley, CEO, Horizon Discovery, commented: “The launch of our first CRISPR kits mark the next stage in Horizon establishing itself as the leader in the gene editing field. Recent advances in gene editing technology, with techniques such as rAAV, ZFN and CRISPR, have had a revolutionary effect on translational genomics. Horizon’s goal is to make these developments accessible to the wider scientific audience, through contract manufacturing, do-it-yourself products and high-end technical support services. As the only company who can offer all of these techniques singularly or in combination we can ensure that researchers, on their own or with our advice, can make an informed choice of which technology or combination of technologies to deploy to gain the correct answer to the biological question being asked.”

“CRISPR and Cas9 technology is making gene editing broadly accessible to researchers,” said Eric Rhodes, Horizon’s VP R&D and CTO. “Our new GENASSIST kits, combined with access to rAAV, ZFN, and CRISPR technologies, give researchers an invaluable suite of tools to determine the function of endogenous gene alterations and their effect on disease and therapeutic responses. We’re also utilizing all three technologies within Horizon to expand on our collection of over 550 X-MAN™ genetically defined cell lines and endogenous pathway reporter cell-based assay kits.”

Horizon plans to launch additional products and services in the near future as part of GENASSIST to further enable researchers working in the gene editing field.